Germination Responses of Ustilago Tritici Teliospores in Relation to Lyophilization. II. Effects of the Germinative Medium on Survival

SUMMARY

The studies reported here point out the independent but important role of the germination substrate on the potential germinability of lyophilized teliospores. Various constituents, natural or additive to a medium, depress or enhance per cent germination. Organic nitrogen and salts in concentrations normal to culture media depressed germination; carbohydrates, particularly sucrose, enhanced germination. Considerable interaction between moieties was apparent. Hydrogen ion concentration was found to be an independent, though usually masked, contributing variable. As an accessory factor, pH appears to be optimal between pH 5 and pH 6. Germination was depressed linearly from this optimal range.